2. The Prophetic Dream of Queen Māyā

When the Bodhisatta had fulfilled all the perfections (pāramī) and completed his final existence as Prince Vessantara, he was reborn in the Tusita Heaven. When the time came for him to descend and attain Enlightenment, the Bodhisatta departed from the host of deities in Tusita and entered the womb of his mother, Queen Māyā, by revealing a prophetic vision to her in a dream.

According to the Pañcāsūdani Commentary on the Acchariyabbhūta Sutta in the Majjhima Nikāya, the summary is as follows:

On the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, Queen Māyā undertook the Uposatha precepts (the Eight Precepts) with firm determination. That night, after retiring to bed, she dreamed the following:

The Four Great Kings (Cātummahārājika)—Dhatarattha, Virūlhaka, Virūpakkha, and Vessavaṇa—appeared and lifted her bed at the four corners, carrying her to Lake Anotatta.

There, the celestial consorts of the Four Great Kings came to attend to her. They bathed her with water from Lake Anotatta and adorned her with celestial garments of exquisite beauty. They then placed her on a golden couch, which was carried to a golden mansion atop Mount Kailāsa.

Then, a white elephant appeared, descending from the northern direction, and entered the golden mansion where Queen Māyā lay. The elephant respectfully circled her three times, symbolizing reverence, and then entered her womb.

At that very moment, the Bodhisatta departed from the Tusita Heaven and took conception in the womb of Queen Māyā.

Upon awakening, Queen Māyā recounted this profound dream to King Suddhodana.